Capital Area Private Defender Service

Become a Mentor

Thank you for your interest in contributing your time to developing the skills of your fellow attorneys.  We are seeking attorneys who would like to participate as our mentors in our 2022 Mentoring Programs. We hope that all of you will consider being a part of this program so that your years of experience and knowledge can be relied on to improve indigent defense in Travis County.  CAPDS is accepting applications for the mentorship program until September 9th.

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​Misdemeanor Mentor

Mentor Commitments:

• Mentor must be available for mentor training on September 14, 2022.
• Mentor must be present and available during the week of mentee training from September 28th through September 30th. Mentor should be available to assist CAPDS in teaching various substantive topics. Mentors are highly encouraged to attend most, if not all, of the training so they can offer feedback and assist in the training.
• Mentors should be available for regular bi-weekly meetings with their mentee(s) from October 2022 through March 2023.
• If mentors have a misdemeanor case that goes to trial, the mentee should second chair it.
  
• If a mentee has a case that goes to trial, the mentor should be the second chair if practicable. Mentor will be paid separately for any second chair appointment.
  
• Mentors will have to verify that they have: met with their mentees and discussed appropriate topics.
  
• Mentors should also be available for questions that arise during the course of the mentorship program.

Mentor Qualifications:
We are seeking mentors committed to indigent defense and who are currently on the CAPDS Misdemeanor Panels.  Preference will be given to those with teaching experience and or previous mentoring experience, as well as extensive trial and litigation experience. 

Interested attorneys should email mentorship@capds.org with a short statement regarding your interest.  If you have any questions or concerns please email mentorship@capds.org.